Metropolitan Pavel: All Orthodox shrines must be returned to believers
Metropolitan Pavel of Vyshhorod and Chornobyl. Photo: lavra.ua
Metropolitan Pavel, abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, said that all Orthodox shrines must be returned to believers in order to stop their destruction. He said this in an address published on the YouTube channel of the Lavra on the feast day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
According to the bishop, today there is no religious freedom in Ukraine, and the churches seized from the UOC are in desolation.
“There is a temple in honor of St. Nicholas on the upper territory of the Lavra. Unfortunately, it is in disrepair now. <…> Today we are talking about religious tolerance, we are talking about religious freedom. We don't have any of that. Today, the shrines must be returned to believers. They must not be destroyed. Believers do not ask the state for money. But the shrines belong to the people of God, the believing people. They are in our country and belong to our country – they cannot belong to anyone else. But they must be used what they are intended for,” said Metropolitan Pavel.
As the UOJ reported, the head of the Ministry of Culture, Oleksandr Tkachenko, said that there would be handicrafts in the Lower Lavra once the UOC was out.
Read also
Chernivtsi bishop consecrates new altar for persecuted Kerstentsi community
In Kerstentsi, believers built a new Transfiguration Church after the previous one was seized by OCU supporters.
Monastic tonsure held at Krasnohorsky All Saints Monastery
Novice Vadym Serkhovets took monastic vows with the name Euthymius.
Over 25,000 faithful pray at Romanian Nicula Monastery on Dormition feast
Thousands of pilgrims walked a 7-kilometer procession to the Nicula Monastery for the feast.
OCU cleric allows attending Uniate churches
OCU cleric Oleksii Filiuk, responding to the question of whether an Orthodox Christian can become a parishioner of a Uniate church, stated that God is one, and one can attend whichever church is closer.
US police detain participants of anti-Islamic demonstration
Police detained protesters following clashes during the "Christian Crusaders March" rally.
Mokrets authorities seek to halt construction of UOC church on private land
After the seizure of the Dormition Church, believers began constructing a new prayer building; however, local authorities are now demanding that the legality of the construction be verified.